All things cancer

How to handle chemotherapy related hearing loss.

By Tina Withrow

The great news is that far more people are surviving cancer now than at any other point in history. We know now that the monumental increase in survivorship has created a new set of medical problems that researchers and physicians alike are attempting to resolve.

Hearing loss has become one of modern medicine’s most prevalent and yet under reported, life-changing challenges of life after chemotherapy.

“I hit the ground running after I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” says Sue Behan. “I did my research, picked the best medical team possible, gathered my friends and family close, and did exactly what I was told. Cancer didn’t have a hold on me. Getting back to my life was easy. Losing my hearing was devastating!”

It doesn’t even occur to most cancer patients that their treatment could impact their hearing. Providers are so focused into the diagnoses and treatment of cancer they can sometimes overlook what can be a life altering event like hearing loss.

Hearing loss begins in the upper frequencies; often well above the range for speech recognition. The patient often doesn’t realize that the damage has taken place. One such impact is ototoxicity. This is damage to the inner ear by a toxin such as chemotherapy. As a result, you can irrevocably impact the cochlear hair cells and other critical parts of the inner ear. As life expectancy grows for survivors, the need for patient education grows along with it. Having a baseline test is vital and covered by most insurance plans.

Once it is determined that cancer related hearing loss has taken place, steps are taken to monitor and treat the patient, which might prevent further hearing loss.

If you or someone you know needs more information regarding chemotherapy related hearing loss, please contact patient advocate Tina Withrow with Health-Sync at 214-546-2215.

 Health-Sync is a Dallas / Fort Worth based company dedicated to helping corporations & individuals faced with health related crisis. Visit www.health-sync.net.